Route 140 Bridge Crossing Showcases Benefits of CIPL
By: Sean Wang & Dan Schadt, Eversource NASTT- Fall 2023
Eversource Associate Gas Engineers Sean Wang & Dan Schadt are part of the utility’s Gas Engineer Cohort program. For their capstone project, they were assigned the topic of rehabilitation of large diameter (16 inch and above) cast iron pipe with a focus on Progressive Pipeline Management (PPM) Cured-in-Place-Lining (CIPL.)
New to the gas utility industry, it wasn't clear to them why the utility would choose to rehabilitate large cast iron mains with CIPL instead of doing ‘simple replacement’ with steel or plastic mains. John Leskow, an Eversource Principal Engineer and their project mentor, was convinced that CIPL has a role at Eversource.
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Initially, they focused on the rehabilitation of large diameter cast iron because that has traditionally been one of the costliest to repair of the Eversource leak-prone assets. The new engineers observed PPM install CIPL into approximately 950 feet of a 20-inch cast iron pipeline for PSE&G in New Jersey at the end of 2022.
While discussing possible lining projects at Eversource, they were informed about a 6-inch coated steel main at a bridge crossing on Route 140 that ran over Interstate 495 in Mansfield. This bridge crossing was classified as a class two leak requiring urgent repairs. Permitting would be extremely tricky as it is a state road. Replacing pipes on bridges through the abutment wall is very difficult to obtain the needed approvals. It is also a particularly challenging location to perform the required repairs or replace the pipe due to its proximity to freeway ramps and being within a mile of the Xfinity Center concert venue. After a site walk with PPM, this project was selected as an ideal opportunity to showcase the benefits of CIPL.
Their capstone presentation supported the strategy that trenchless technologies should become a part of Eversource’s portfolio of solutions in improving safety, reliability, repairing leaks and reducing fugitive emissions. The project included a comparison of CIPL against traditional open cut replacement and external joint sealing in safety, customer satisfaction, environmental impact and cost.
Sean and Dan became convinced of the efficacy of trenchless technologies as a very useful tool for remediating pipe when options are limited. They found that CIPL is cost effective compared to direct replacement in situations that require significant permitting expenses, such as bridges, dense urban areas and railroad crossings.
CIPL is an effective tool for utilities like Eversouce with assets in dense, urban environments.
““We quickly realized how invaluable
trenchless technologies were!”
”
About PPM: Progressive Pipeline Management is a full service contractor and team of highly skilled infrastructure renewal specialists. For over twenty one years, PPM has been improving the safety and longevity of pipeline infrastructure. They hold the exclusive licensee in North America for the Starline® Cured-in-place-lining. PPM’s specialized expertise includes gas pipeline rehabilitation, restoration of damaged or leaking infrastructure, PIPES ACT 2020 compliance and trenchless technology.
